El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt Welcomes Its New Artistic Director
El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) in Egypt has announced the appointment of Andrew Mohsen as its new Artistic Director, succeeding Marianne Khoury, who stepped down earlier this year.
Mohsen, who has been a member of the festival’s programming team since 2023, officially assumes his new role today. He will oversee the selection process for the ninth edition of the festival, scheduled to take place from October 15 to 23.
“We are thrilled to see Andrew take on this leadership role,” said Amr Mansi, Co-founder and Executive Director of GFF. “Since he joined us, Andrew has shown an incredible instinct for discovering powerful stories and a clear understanding of our festival’s identity. Promoting him to Artistic Director is a testament to our belief in his vision and our commitment to the future of Egyptian and international cinema.”
Mohsen began his journey with GFF as a Senior Programmer in 2023 and was later promoted to Head of Programming in 2024.
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“I have followed El Gouna Film Festival’s journey since its inception—first as a critic and then as a professional within the industry,” said Mohsen. “I am honored to take on the role of Artistic Director at such a pivotal stage, as the festival approaches its 10th anniversary. My primary goal is to sustain the festival’s success and expand its reach, ensuring GFF remains the preeminent bridge between Arab and international cinema.”
Mohsen’s career in cinema began in 2015 with critical writing, establishing him as a prominent voice through his essays and reviews. He transitioned to festival programming with the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), leading to several key roles. He served as the Artistic Director for the Ismailia International Film Festival in 2018, the Aswan International Women Film Festival in 2020 and 2021, and headed the artistic office at CIFF in 2021.
His influence extends throughout the MENA region, where he has acted as the main curator for the European Film Festival in Riyadh, served as a consultant for the Hollywood Arab Film Festival, and represented Egypt at the Film O’Clock Festival. Additionally, he has held the position of Content Manager for Arabia Pictures Entertainment in Saudi Arabia and participated as a jury member at several festivals, including CPH: DOX, the Tangier National Film Festival, and the Torino Film Lab.
GFF expressed gratitude to Khoury for her contributions during her three-year tenure, lauding her “dedication and vision.”
Founded in 2017 by Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris in the Red Sea resort of El Gouna, created by his brother Samih Sawiris, the festival highlights Arab-language cinema alongside international festival films, attracting high-profile attendees such as Cate Blanchett in 2025.
